Warhill finds no solace in narrow loss to Lafayette

October 11, 2011|By Marty O'Brien, mobrien@dailypress.com | 247-4963

With one holder already sidelined and two others injured during the game, Warhill football coach Billy Jarvis was virtually forced to go for two points in overtime on Friday rather than let his reliable kicker attempt the extra point.

The two-point pass attempt failed and the Lions lost 31-30 to Lafayette.

Had the Lions deafeted Lafayette, the No. 6-ranked team in state Group AA, it would've been every bit as surprising as their win earlier this season against defending Division 3 state champion Poquoson. Coming close provided no consolation for Jarvis.

"There are no positives in a loss that I can see," he said.

But he does admit that winning three consecutive games, then competing on even footing with Lafayette for more than four quarters, helps add to the confidence the Lions have built after four difficult seasons. The Lions (3-2, 3-2 district) will look to continue that momentum when they face Grafton (4-2, 3-2) on Friday.

"I think the kids felt confident (going into the Lafayette game) based on what they had done the previous three weeks," he said. "They like success and they like winning, so they keep working hard to achieve it."

Warhill won only five games in its four years of existence. Pundits expected little from this year's team after 28 seniors graduated from the 2010 group that earned three of those five wins.

Jarvis said it has helped that more players on this year's team gained seasoning on the junior varsity level than on his previous three teams.

"These kids have had time in the system and we've had a chance to make them stronger in the weight room," he said.

Quarterbacks Seth Thompson and Blake Guminsky, running back Devonte Dedmon and cornerback Charlie Broaddus are among the standouts who played JV ball last season. Dedmon and Reggie Lipscomb, who started as a freshman a year ago, have been rushing threats out of the Wildcat formation Jarvis employs for at least half the Lions plays.

Dedmon ran for 140 yards and threw a 73-yard touchdown pass to Thompson in the Lafayette game, while Lipscomb ran for 86 yards. Tyler Klinedinst's accurate shotgun snaps have helped the Wildcat run smoothly for the Lions.

"It's working well for us," Jarvis said, adding that linemen Klinedinst, Parker Osterloh, Dominique Niranont, Teddy West, and twins Blake and Colton Wilson have done a great job blocking.

The Lions, who allowed nine points per game during the three-game win streak, are a vastly improved defensive team compared to the past four seasons. With West and the Wilson twins leading the charge up front – and Dedmon, Broaddus and Trevaun Edwards starring in the secondary – the Lions are breaking on the ball better and tackling more crisply.

"We're more aggressive and getting more pressure up front," Jarvis said. "Devonte is making a lot of great decisions at safety, while Charlie and Trey are playing very well."

The 3-2 start has the Lions in good position to reach the Region I Division 4 playoffs, and a win over Grafton would help. Jarvis says it is too early to think about that.

"That's not something we talk about," he said. "There's a lot of competition in practices, because the kids understand were have to beat some people before that playoff stuff means anything."